by Emile Niyonkuru
The abuse of young generations in the name of “getting a better life” often stems from a mix of cultural, economic, and systemic pressures. Here are key factors that contribute to this issue:
- Toxic Expectations of Success
Family pressure: Parents may push children into harsh routines (e.g., overstudying, no free time) believing it’s for their future success.
Academic stress: In many cultures, education is seen as the only way out of poverty, leading to extreme competition and emotional abuse.
Comparison culture: Constant comparisons with others (“Why can’t you be like X?”) can erode self-esteem and cause long-term psychological harm.
- Exploitation Disguised as Opportunity
Child labor: In some places, children are forced to work with the promise of supporting the family or learning responsibility.
Trafficking or forced migration: Young people may be taken away or sent abroad under the pretense of “better life” opportunities, only to be exploited.
Early marriages: In some cultures, marrying off young girls is seen as securing a stable future, despite it often resulting in abuse and lost autonomy.
- Neglect of Emotional Needs
Dismissal of mental health: Adults may ignore or mock the emotional struggles of the young, insisting they’re “just being dramatic” or “too soft.”
Authoritarian parenting: Children are expected to obey without question, which stifles identity, creativity, and independence.
- Broken System
Poor education systems: Where schools are underfunded or abusive, education becomes more harmful than helpful.
Corrupt societies: When the path to success is rigged or exploitative, families may unknowingly push children into harmful environments in search of an edge.
- Cultural Silence and Shame
Taboo around questioning elders: Many young people are silenced by tradition—questioning adult authority is seen as disrespectful.
Fear of “failure”: Any deviation from the traditional path to success can bring shame, especially in tight-knit communities.
Final Thought
The key issue is not the desire for a better life—it’s how that desire gets twisted into harmful methods. Protecting young generations requires balancing ambition with empathy, structure with freedom, and guidance with respect for individuality.
Would you like examples from specific countries or cultures to see how this plays out differently around the world?
